Authors(s) and Affiliation(s)

Abstract

The study is an attempt to demonstrate that spatial patterns of death rates may be used as an important indicator of regional levels in the quality of life. Environmental factors that show strong and plausible statistical relationship with these mortality patterns should be regarded as problematic and in need for correction. The Japanese mortality transition can be regarded by and large as corresponding to the assumptions set forth by the models of the demographic and the epidemiologic transition. Since around 1970 the life expectancy of aged Japanese in particular accelerated its rise due to a later occurence of degenerative diseases in the life course that marked the beginning of the so-called fourth stage in the epidemiologic transition. The 1985 inter-prefectual distribution patterns of most death rates (age-specific and causes of death) are classified into four (regional) types. The reduction of regional variance can be seen with nearly all mortality variables. This indicates a diffusion of urban living conditions into the countryside.